TULCINGO AZTECA RESTAURANT CORP

๐Ÿšซ CLOSED BY HEALTH DEPARTMENT

Thursday, March 28, 2024

Overview

TULCINGO AZTECA RESTAURANT CORP was ordered closed by the NYC Health Department on March 28, 2024 following a health inspection. The inspection found 13 violations, including 13 critical.

Address
3861 10 AVENUE
Manhattan, NY 10034
Cuisine
Mexican
Inspection Type
Cycle Inspection / Re-inspection
Violations
13 total
โš  13 critical
Facility History
7 inspections
1 failures

Violations Cited

โš  CRITICAL 08C

Pesticide not properly used or stored

Pesticide not properly labeled or used by unlicensed individual. Pesticide, other toxic chemical improperly used/stored. Unprotected, unlocked bait station used.

โš ๏ธ Why This Matters

Improper pesticide use causes chemical contamination and acute poisoning

๐Ÿ“‹ Code Requirements

Licensed applicator only; follow label directions; store away from food; use approved chemicals

CDC Risk Factor: Contaminated Equipment/Protection from Contamination
NYC Health Code Article 81, Section 81.31
โš  CRITICAL 08A

Facility Not Free from Harborage Conditions

Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests.

โš ๏ธ Why This Matters

PEST ATTRACTION: Harborage conditions support pest infestations. Gaps allow entry of rodents carrying 35+ diseases. Standing water breeds flies that spread 100+ pathogens. Clutter provides nesting for pests. Creates ongoing contamination risk.

๐Ÿ“‹ Code Requirements

Eliminate ALL harborage conditions: Seal cracks/holes (1/4 inch for mice, 1/2 inch for rats), Fix leaking pipes, Remove clutter/unused equipment, Eliminate standing water, Clean grease accumulation, Maintain 6 inches clearance from walls, Remove cardboard storage.

CDC Risk Factor: Environmental Contamination
NYC Health Code Article 81, Section 81.17
โš  CRITICAL 06D

Food Contact Surfaces Not Properly Sanitized

Food contact surface not properly washed, rinsed and sanitized after each use and following any activity when contamination may have occurred.

โš ๏ธ Why This Matters

BACTERIAL BUILDUP: Unsanitized surfaces harbor millions of bacteria within hours. Cross-contamination affects all food prepared on surface. Major cause of multi-victim outbreaks. Cutting boards can contain 200x more bacteria than toilet seats.

๐Ÿ“‹ Code Requirements

Clean and sanitize ALL food contact surfaces: After each use, Between different food types, Every 4 hours in continuous use, When contaminated. Use proper concentration sanitizer (50-100ppm chlorine, 200-400ppm quat). Air dry. Test sanitizer every 2 hours.

CDC Risk Factor: Contaminated Equipment - CDC Risk Factor #5
NYC Health Code Article 81, Section 81.21
โš  CRITICAL 20-08

Failure to post or conspicuously post healthy eating information Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 ยฐF. Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage associated with (FRSA) flies or other nuisance pests in establishmentโ€™s food and/or non-food areas. FRSA flies include house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, Phorid flies and fruit flies. Food allergy information poster not conspicuously posted where food is being prepared or processed by food workers. Properly scaled and cali

Failure to post or conspicuously post healthy eating information

โš ๏ธ Why This Matters

HEALTH HAZARD: This critical violation creates immediate risk of foodborne illness. Studies link Failure to post or conspicuously post he to bacterial contamination and outbreak events. Must be corrected immediately to protect public health.

๐Ÿ“‹ Code Requirements

Follow NYC Health Code Article 81 requirements. Implement corrective action immediately. Document all corrections. Train staff on proper procedures. Schedule follow-up inspection if critical.

โš  CRITICAL 28-06

NYC Health Code Violation 28-06

Contract with a pest management professional not in place. Record of extermination activities not kept on premises.

โš ๏ธ Why This Matters

HEALTH HAZARD: This critical violation creates immediate risk of foodborne illness. Studies link NYC Health Code Violation 28-06 to bacterial contamination and outbreak events. Must be corrected immediately to protect public health.

๐Ÿ“‹ Code Requirements

Follow NYC Health Code Article 81 requirements. Implement corrective action immediately. Document all corrections. Train staff on proper procedures. Schedule follow-up inspection if critical.

โš  CRITICAL 10F

Non-food Contact Surfaces Not Clean

Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit.

โš ๏ธ Why This Matters

INDIRECT CONTAMINATION: Dirty non-food surfaces harbor pests and bacteria. Employees touch these surfaces then food. Accumulation attracts roaches and rodents. Creates reservoir of contamination that spreads throughout facility.

๐Ÿ“‹ Code Requirements

Clean all non-food surfaces regularly: Walls, ceilings, floors daily in food areas, Equipment exteriors, Storage shelves, Light fixtures monthly. Seal cracks. Repair damaged surfaces. Maintain cleaning schedule. Assign responsibilities.

CDC Risk Factor: Environmental Contamination
NYC Health Code Article 81, Section 81.23
โš  CRITICAL 04H

Food Contaminated or Cross-Contaminated

Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, cross-contaminated, or not discarded in accordance with HACCP plan.

โš ๏ธ Why This Matters

PATHOGEN SPREAD: Cross-contamination spreads deadly bacteria throughout facility. One contaminated cutting board can transfer Salmonella to 20+ food items. Causes multi-victim outbreaks. E. coli O157:H7 from raw beef can cause kidney failure in children.

๐Ÿ“‹ Code Requirements

Prevent ALL cross-contamination: Separate equipment for raw and ready-to-eat, Color-coded cutting boards, Proper storage order (raw below ready-to-eat), Clean and sanitize between different foods, Cover all foods, Change gloves between tasks.

CDC Risk Factor: Contaminated Equipment/Cross-Contamination
NYC Health Code Article 81, Section 81.07
โš  CRITICAL 02G

Cold TCS Food Held Above 41ยฐF

Cold TCS food item held above 41 ยฐF; smoked or processed fish held above 38 ยฐF; intact raw eggs held above 45 ยฐF; or reduced oxygen packaged (ROP) TCS foods held above required temperatures except during active necessary preparation.

โš ๏ธ Why This Matters

DANGER ZONE GROWTH: Between 41-70ยฐF, E. coli doubles every 30 minutes. Salmonella doubles every 20 minutes at 70-90ยฐF. After just 4 hours above 41ยฐF, bacteria levels can cause severe illness including bloody diarrhea, kidney failure (E. coli), and typhoid fever (Salmonella).

๐Ÿ“‹ Code Requirements

Keep all cold TCS foods at 41ยฐF or below (smoked fish 38ยฐF, shell eggs 45ยฐF). Monitor with calibrated thermometer every 2-4 hours. Ice baths must surround container to food level. Repair refrigeration immediately. DISCARD foods above 41ยฐF for over 4 hours.

CDC Risk Factor: Improper Holding/Time & Temperature
NYC Health Code Article 81, Section 81.09(c)
โš  CRITICAL 10H

Sanitization not provided for utensil washing

Single service article not provided. Single service article reused or not protected from contamination when transported, stored, dispensed. Drinking straws not completely enclosed in wrapper or dispensed from a sanitary device.

โš ๏ธ Why This Matters

Unsanitized utensils transfer bacteria directly to customers' food and mouths

๐Ÿ“‹ Code Requirements

Use approved sanitizer at correct concentration; test strips required; proper contact time

CDC Risk Factor: Contaminated Equipment/Protection from Contamination
NYC Health Code Article 81, Section 81.21
โš  CRITICAL 06B

NYC Health Code Violation 06B

Tobacco or electronic cigarette use, eating, or drinking from open container in food preparation, food storage or dishwashing area.

โš ๏ธ Why This Matters

HEALTH HAZARD: This critical violation creates immediate risk of foodborne illness. Studies link NYC Health Code Violation 06B to bacterial contamination and outbreak events. Must be corrected immediately to protect public health.

๐Ÿ“‹ Code Requirements

Follow NYC Health Code Article 81 requirements. Implement corrective action immediately. Document all corrections. Train staff on proper procedures. Schedule follow-up inspection if critical.

โš  CRITICAL 04M

Live Roaches Present in Facility

Live roaches in facility's food or non-food area.

โš ๏ธ Why This Matters

DISEASE VECTORS: Roaches carry 33 types of bacteria, 6 parasitic worms, 7 human pathogens. Travel from sewers/garbage to food surfaces. Spread Salmonella, E. coli, Staphylococcus. Trigger severe asthma and allergies. One roach = likely infestation of hundreds.

๐Ÿ“‹ Code Requirements

Immediate elimination required: Professional extermination ASAP, Find and eliminate water sources (roaches need water daily), Seal all cracks/crevices, Deep clean with degreaser, Remove cardboard/clutter, Apply gel baits in non-food areas, Follow-up treatment in 2 weeks.

CDC Risk Factor: Contaminated Equipment/Environmental
NYC Health Code Article 81, Section 81.17
โš  CRITICAL 19-04

NYC Health Code Violation 19-04

Expanded Polystyrene (EPS) single service article not designated as a recyclable material.

โš ๏ธ Why This Matters

HEALTH HAZARD: This critical violation creates immediate risk of foodborne illness. Studies link NYC Health Code Violation 19-04 to bacterial contamination and outbreak events. Must be corrected immediately to protect public health.

๐Ÿ“‹ Code Requirements

Follow NYC Health Code Article 81 requirements. Implement corrective action immediately. Document all corrections. Train staff on proper procedures. Schedule follow-up inspection if critical.

โš  CRITICAL 06C

Food not protected from contamination

Food, supplies, or equipment not protected from potential source of contamination during storage, preparation, transportation, display, service or from customerโ€™s refillable, reusable container. Condiments not in single-service containers or dispensed directly by the vendor.

โš ๏ธ Why This Matters

Unprotected food exposed to bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and physical contaminants

๐Ÿ“‹ Code Requirements

Cover all food; store 6 inches off floor; protect from customer contamination; use sneeze guards

CDC Risk Factor: Contaminated Equipment/Protection from Contamination
NYC Health Code Article 81, Section 81.09
Inspector's Action:

Establishment Closed by DOHMH. Violations were cited in the following area(s) and those requiring im

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TULCINGO AZTECA RESTAURANT CORP โ€” Inspection Questions

Did TULCINGO AZTECA RESTAURANT CORP pass their NYC health inspection on March 28, 2024?
TULCINGO AZTECA RESTAURANT CORP was closed by the health department on March 28, 2024 with a score of 76 points. The facility was ordered closed due to serious health violations.
What critical violations did TULCINGO AZTECA RESTAURANT CORP have?
TULCINGO AZTECA RESTAURANT CORP had 13 critical violation(s) during their inspection. Critical violations directly contribute to foodborne illness and must be corrected immediately. These include issues with temperature control, hand washing, cross-contamination, and pest infestations.
What does violation code 08C mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
NYC violation 08C (Pesticide not properly used or stored) is a major violation. Pesticides must be properly labeled, stored, and used according to regulations Improper pesticide use causes chemical contamination and acute poisoning
What does violation code 08A mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
NYC violation 08A (Facility Not Free from Harborage Conditions) is a major violation. Conditions exist that attract or allow pests to harbor in establishment. PEST ATTRACTION: Harborage conditions support pest infestations. Gaps allow entry of rodents carrying 35+ diseases. Standing water breeds flies that spread 100+ pathogens. Clutter provides nesting for pests. Creates ongoing contamination risk.
What does violation code 06D mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
NYC violation 06D (Food Contact Surfaces Not Properly Sanitized) is a critical violation. Food contact surfaces not washed, rinsed, and sanitized after each use and following contamination. BACTERIAL BUILDUP: Unsanitized surfaces harbor millions of bacteria within hours. Cross-contamination affects all food prepared on surface. Major cause of multi-victim outbreaks. Cutting boards can contain 200x more bacteria than toilet seats.
What does violation code 20-08 mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
NYC violation 20-08 (Failure to post or conspicuously post healthy eating information Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 ยฐF. Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage associated with (FRSA) flies or other nuisance pests in establishmentโ€™s food and/or non-food areas. FRSA flies include house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, Phorid flies and fruit flies. Food allergy information poster not conspicuously posted where food is being prepared or processed by food workers. Properly scaled and cali) is a critical violation. Failure to post or conspicuously post healthy eating information Hot TCS food item not held at or above 140 ยฐF. Filth flies or food/refuse/sewage associated with (FRSA) flies or other nuisance pests in establishmentโ€™s food and/or non-food areas. FRSA flies include house flies, blow flies, bottle flies, flesh flies, drain flies, Phorid flies and fruit flies. Food allergy information poster not conspicuously posted where food is being prepared or processed by food workers. Properly scaled and calibrated thermometer or thermocouple not provided or not readily accessible in food preparation and hot/cold holding areas to measure temperatures of TCS foods during cooking, cooling, reheating, and holding. Failure to maintain a sufficient supply of single-use, non-compostable plastic straws. โ€œChoking first aidโ€ poster not posted. โ€œAlcohol and Pregnancyโ€ warning sign not posted. Resuscitation equipment: exhaled air resuscitation masks (adult & pediatric), latex gloves, sign not posted. Non-food contact surface or equipment made of unacceptable material, not kept clean, or not properly sealed, raised, spaced or movable to allow accessibility for cleaning on all sides, above and underneath the unit. Cold TCS food item held above 41 ยฐF; smoked or processed fish held above 38 ยฐF; intact raw eggs held above 45 ยฐF; or reduced oxygen packaged (ROP) TCS foods held above required temperatures except during active necessary preparation. Establishment is not free of harborage or conditions conducive to rodents, insects or other pests. HEALTH HAZARD: This critical violation creates immediate risk of foodborne illness. Studies link Failure to post or conspicuously post he to bacterial contamination and outbreak events. Must be corrected immediately to protect public health.
What does violation code 28-06 mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
NYC violation 28-06 (NYC Health Code Violation 28-06) is a critical violation. Violation of NYC Health Code requirements HEALTH HAZARD: This critical violation creates immediate risk of foodborne illness. Studies link NYC Health Code Violation 28-06 to bacterial contamination and outbreak events. Must be corrected immediately to protect public health.
What does violation code 10F mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
NYC violation 10F (Non-food Contact Surfaces Not Clean) is a minor violation. Non-food contact surfaces or equipment not kept clean, not properly sealed, or not properly maintained. INDIRECT CONTAMINATION: Dirty non-food surfaces harbor pests and bacteria. Employees touch these surfaces then food. Accumulation attracts roaches and rodents. Creates reservoir of contamination that spreads throughout facility.
What does violation code 04H mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
NYC violation 04H (Food Contaminated or Cross-Contaminated) is a critical violation. Raw, cooked or prepared food is adulterated, contaminated, or cross-contaminated during storage, preparation, or service. PATHOGEN SPREAD: Cross-contamination spreads deadly bacteria throughout facility. One contaminated cutting board can transfer Salmonella to 20+ food items. Causes multi-victim outbreaks. E. coli O157:H7 from raw beef can cause kidney failure in children.
What does violation code 02G mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
NYC violation 02G (Cold TCS Food Held Above 41ยฐF) is a critical violation. Cold potentially hazardous foods must be kept at 41ยฐF or below (38ยฐF for smoked fish) to prevent bacterial growth. DANGER ZONE GROWTH: Between 41-70ยฐF, E. coli doubles every 30 minutes. Salmonella doubles every 20 minutes at 70-90ยฐF. After just 4 hours above 41ยฐF, bacteria levels can cause severe illness including bloody diarrhea, kidney failure (E. coli), and typhoid fever (Salmonella).
What does violation code 10H mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
NYC violation 10H (Sanitization not provided for utensil washing) is a major violation. Utensils must be properly sanitized after washing to kill remaining bacteria Unsanitized utensils transfer bacteria directly to customers' food and mouths
What does violation code 06B mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
NYC violation 06B (NYC Health Code Violation 06B) is a critical violation. Violation of NYC Health Code requirements HEALTH HAZARD: This critical violation creates immediate risk of foodborne illness. Studies link NYC Health Code Violation 06B to bacterial contamination and outbreak events. Must be corrected immediately to protect public health.
What does violation code 04M mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
NYC violation 04M (Live Roaches Present in Facility) is a critical violation. Live cockroaches observed in food or non-food areas of establishment. DISEASE VECTORS: Roaches carry 33 types of bacteria, 6 parasitic worms, 7 human pathogens. Travel from sewers/garbage to food surfaces. Spread Salmonella, E. coli, Staphylococcus. Trigger severe asthma and allergies. One roach = likely infestation of hundreds.
What does violation code 19-04 mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
NYC violation 19-04 (NYC Health Code Violation 19-04) is a critical violation. Violation of NYC Health Code requirements HEALTH HAZARD: This critical violation creates immediate risk of foodborne illness. Studies link NYC Health Code Violation 19-04 to bacterial contamination and outbreak events. Must be corrected immediately to protect public health.
What does violation code 06C mean in NYC restaurant inspections?
NYC violation 06C (Food not protected from contamination) is a critical violation. All food must be protected from contamination during storage, prep, display and service Unprotected food exposed to bacteria, viruses, chemicals, and physical contaminants